Policy brief: Using Evidence in the Philippine War on Drugs

This policy brief provides a considered approach to the war on drugs in the Philippines. It uses cross-country analysis to determine if harsh penalties for drug trafficking and drug use serve as a deterrent. It also looks at the recent history of the Philippines under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in waging this war and canvasses other possible solutions to the drug problem, based on empirical evidence from other countries to arrive at a clear set of policy directives that may be applied in the Philippines.